What’s going on around here….

Roy's Coffee has expanded into that building that was most recently Compost-It (and Farmers Insurance before that)...they now have a place to sit down, and I've been hearing reports their sandwiches are really good.

Let’s see what’s happening…

Tracy, with her boy Dylan!

• Sally Thomsen tells me that Tracy Roberson has been appointed to the Island Rec Board of Commissioners, to the position vacated by Amy Windrope. Good choice, if you ask me.

• Have you seen Rachel’s petsitting business? Here’s her website.

• Krispi says: “Come to the Port Park tonight to hear Kubatana play incredible marimba, starting at 5pm. They will play until 7. Great summer evening to enjoy music outside!”

• At the Whale Museum – here’s more from Cindy:

Marine Naturalist Training Program this Summer!
Due to a large response to the Spring 2010 Marine Naturalist Training Program, The Whale Museum will be presenting a Naturalist Training Program for Summer 2010, running from August 6th through August 11th.  For the first time, this program will be offered over 6 consecutive days, allowing the participant to receive a similar education as the Spring program yet within a more condensed time frame.  Registration for the Summer 2010 program is available now.  The object of this program is to provide a learning experience that assists adult graduates in becoming qualified regionally as professional or volunteer naturalists.

Miles (right) with his friend on the Fourth: He took off this week for a five-week session at Berklee School of Music in Boston....wow!

The main focus of the training is the ecology, current status and conservation of Southern Resident killer whales and other local marine species as well as discussions about the environments in which they live.  The course includes presentations on cetaceans, pinnipeds, otters, intertidal invertebrates, seabirds, and a variety of other topics such as geology and marine conservation.

Faculty includes Whale Museum staff, professional naturalists, marine scientists, and environmental educators active in the region.  Students will also participate in a variety of field trips relating to the topics of study.  Tuition is $375 and includes an orca adoption and a Whale Museum membership.  There are no prerequisites other than high school graduation and a sincere interest to learn.

For more information or to register for the Marine Naturalist Training Program please contact Cindy Hansen, Education Curator, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 360-378-4710 ext.23.  Registration material can be downloaded from the Whale Museum website at www.whalemuseum.org.

Granny's Cove - a Dip-Tych by BJ Dollahite (watercolor collage 70" x 42")

• Speaking of artists – Barbara & Matt at Gallery San Juan have the opening for the gallery’s Women of Texture 2010 show this weekend, featuring BJ Dollahite, Espi Grundy, Deja Designs, Teri Jo Summer, Jocelyn Russell, Candice Christy, Oak Boesky, and Lynn Roochvarg. The reception is from 6-8pm on Saturday, and show runs till July 31st. See you there!

Ron Aleck (and his work) will be at Arctic Raven on Saturday this week!

• Lee at Arctic Raven Gallery has a visitor this weekend you’ll want to meet:

Heron, by Ron Aleck

This Saturday, July 10th from 12 – 3pm, Northwest Coast Native artist Ron Aleck, will be demonstrating his carving skills at the Arctic Raven Gallery 130 First Street, Friday Harbor. Ron is a hereditary chief on both sides of his family, he is of the Kuper Island, B.C. Band of the Coast Salish.

Ron’s work tops Arctic Raven’s request list for small carvings. His detailed and exquisitely painted herons, hummingbirds, whales and salmon capture the essence of the animal, while elegantly incorporating Northwest Coast design elements.

Ron states, “I love doing my work and have been carving so long that it has become part of me. I gain inspiration from everything I do… from observing the way the light reflects off the wing of a heron to the positive reaction I receive from those who buy my work. If you put love into your carvings then it shines out.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet a wonderful artist demonstrating his work.

That's Peter Strasser after he took sixth in the log-rolling contest at Roche Harbor on the Fourth...in the adult division. Way to go!

• Now, about those goats, from the Noxious Weeds folks:

Goats Near Skagit Valley College: The Port of Friday Harbor has contracted with Joe Buckler and Karen Lundin to provide goats to eat noxious weeds on airport property near Skagit Valley College for approximately a month. The goats will be kept in place with a woven electric fence, which will be moved as necessary. Outside the electric fence will be an orange guard fence to keep people and dogs away from the electric fence. Joe will be on site most of the time to supervise the  goats and answer questions.

This is an experiment checking to see whether goats provide good control of weeds such as Scotch broom, hawthorn, and thistle, all of which cause  problems for agriculture on the island. Please call Rich Lee or Judy Jackson of the Noxious Weed Control Program at 376-3499 if you have questions  or comments.

The trails in the area will be kept open throughout the experimental period. Please keep your dogs on leash while in the area.

Are you ready? Time to start thinking about the Fair!!!!

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